Jack didn't say anything all the way back home. Not until I parked the car in the garage. I looked at him through the front view mirror, but he didn't seem to be angry. Still, he didn't even look at me when he first spoke but looked out of the window instead.
"You should've told me." I didn't pretend like I don't know what he is referring to.
"It seemed like your father wanted to surprise you by telling you himself."
"Well, it's a damned surprise, all right."
"Do you hate her?" I asked looking through the windshield not daring to even take a look at his reaction upon hearing my question.
"No. Actually, I quite like her," he said and I suddenly felt a sharp pain piercing through me as if I'd just lost something precious. "But not in a way our parents want me to. She is more like a sister to me. We grew up together. It's only natural to feel that way."
Suddenly, I felt awful for feeling so relieved upon hearing this.
"What are you planning to do now?" I looked at his reflection in the mirror but he was still looking out of the window with an expressionless face. At least a minute passed by and I almost thought he won't say anything when he finally spoke.
"She is not like the other girls, Asher. If I were to really marry a woman, she would be the perfect choice for me. She always has been."
I felt my grip tightening on the steering wheel but I tried to remain calm and speak with a blank expression on my face.
"You didn't answer my question."
"Because I don't know," he replied, then opened the door of the car and got out.
I told Jack I need to discuss the menu for his birthday celebration with Mrs. Nichols. He went upstairs and for once I was glad that I had a legitimate excuse to avoid him. I feel like I need some alone time to think through everything that has happened to me lately.
Mrs. Nichols was in the kitchen just like most of the time when I see her. She noticed me right away and stopped what she was doing to look at me.
"Sorry to interrupt you while working," I told her as I entered. "But I need you to prepare a dinner menu for five for the day of the young master's birthday. We have guests coming.""That won't be a problem. Just tell me who is coming and I will make sure to cook something that will be to their liking," she said while putting away some plates.
"I believe you know them. They're old friends of the family. The Chen family, I mean." At this exact moment, one of the plates slipped from her hands and fell to the kitchen counter. It broke into pieces with a clatter.
"Can I help you?" I asked worriedly.
"There is no need. I sweep this up quickly," she said and did just that. I didn't know if I should leave or stay, so I just stood there not knowing what to do. "Yes, they are really old friends," she continued. " They met a lot of times when Mrs. Liu was still alive."
"What happened?" I asked with increased curiosity.
"They decided to go live in China so that their daughter could improve her Chinese. And I believe there were some good business opportunities there as well."
"That is often the case," I replied having nothing better to say.
"I still remember when Ms. Chen was this little," she said nostalgically, showing the height of a little child with her hand. "They were so beautiful children, playing together in the garden."I cannot help that I only got to know Jack now but I still feel immense envy for not getting to be his childhood friend. Life is not fair.
"I see. So you must know what they like to eat."
"Yes, I know. I will prepare everything myself. And there will be a cake, too of course."
"Wonderful," I said but I didn't feel it. "They will be here at seven p.m. but perhaps, it would be good if they can talk first after meeting for the first time in a long while. So it's alright if the dinner will be ready a bit later than that," I told her and turned around to leave.
"The young master must have been overjoyed to hear they are coming," she said.
"I wouldn't know," I replied abruptly without even turning back. Then left.
******
The rest of the day was quite peaceful. Although, dinner was more awkward than usual. I wasn't in the mood to talk and neither was Jack. But he still managed to strike up a conversation with his father, who seemed to be in a better mood than in the last few days. No wonder, since his friends are coming back and he may even be lucky enough to have his son marry their daughter. He is killing two birds with one stone.
I finished eating as quickly as I could, then excused myself and went up to my room. My presence was not needed there and they know where they can find me if either of them wants me to do something for them. They usually do.
It was already late at night, while I was lying awake on my bed that an idea occurred to me. It would definitely be a good move to do it. Although, his father definitely wouldn't appreciate it. But that's not my problem to tackle. Well, not anymore.
I decided to leave after his birthday. There is nothing keeping me here and it will be for the best. But before that, I will send a message to the Chen family's daughter. I will do that first thing in the morning. Technically, not the first. But whatever. The point is that it will be done. Nothing else matters.
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